Son says money from lawmaker dad was clean

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The son of an ex-Alaska state lawmaker testified his father gave him $8,000 legally, and denied the money was a bribe as two oil-services executives claimed.

Peter Kott said the cash payment from his father, then-Republican Rep. Pete Kott, was an advance for future flooring work, The Anchorage Daily News reported.

The executives from oilfield services company Veco Corp. testified they had given the money to the elder Kott as a bribe to pass on to his son, so the younger Kott would have money to work as his campaign manager, the newspaper said.

The elder Kott is one of three former or current state legislators arrested and charged with bribery, extortion and other crimes linked to allegations of soliciting and receiving money and favors from Veco executives in return for votes on an oil-tax law Veco wanted passed.

Kott has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Veco Chief Executive Officer Bill Allen and Vice President for Community and Government Affairs Rick Smith pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Anchorage May 7 to extortion, bribery and conspiracy charges.

Veco was sold Sept. 7 to Colorado engineering and construction firm CH2M HILL.